boudoirs

Boudoir is a French term that refers to a private sitting room or dressing room for a woman within a residence. Historically, boudoirs were part of European noble or upper-class homes in the 18th and 19th centuries, serving as intimate spaces where a woman could receive confidants, read, write, or engage in personal grooming away from public areas. They were typically designed to convey privacy and comfort, with soft fabrics, intimate furnishings, mirrors, and decorative objects, and they were often located adjacent to a bedroom or bathroom as part of a private suite.

In interior design, boudoirs are characterized by intimate scale and fabrics that foster a secluded mood, such as plush seating and drapery. The room's purpose was to provide a personal retreat and a refined setting for routines, conversation, or dressing.

In contemporary usage, the term is associated with boudoir photography, a genre of intimate portraiture that typically features individuals in private settings with soft lighting and carefully chosen styling. Images often depict lingerie or semi-clothed attire and are commonly created for personal keepsakes, gifts, or bridal portfolios. Styles range from vintage and glamorized to modern and minimalist, and shoots may occur in studios or at home.

The concept of boudoirs encompasses both a historical private space for women and a modern photographic genre that centers on intimacy and personal expression.